Cycling from Chateauneuf du Pape to the Pont du Gard aqueduct

Cycling from Chateauneuf du Pape to the Pont du Gard aqueduct

It's a gentle cycling holiday perfect for beginners, even more perfect for wine-lovers and enthusiasts of picturesque countryside. Leaving medieval Avignon you pass through the most famed of the Côtes du Rhône wine-making village: Châteauneuf du Pape. Your rides take you to the town of Uzès, its centuries-old and grandiose stone buildings framing a labyrinth of cobbled streets. From Uzès the Mistral winds push you southward to the Pont du Gard - the most imposing bridge ever built during the Roman Empire. You continue towards Boulbon, a charming little Provençal village nestled up against the thyme-laden Montagnette hills, and to the famous St Remy de Provence village, along the traces of Van Gogh through olive groves and vineyards. And finally to Roman Arles...

Day 1

Avignon

Avignon

Your trip begins in the heart of Avignon. A medieval town on the banks of the mighty Rhône River, Avignon hides many treasures: the Pope’s palace, the 12th century bridge, the 14th century ramparts, still intact, and many museums and churches. Meander through a labyrinth of cobbled streets and discover cafés in open squares, shaded by plane trees.

Night in Avignon

Day 2

Distance :

27 km

Elevation :

+ 100m
- 50m

Famous Chateauneuf du Pape

Avignon > Chateauneuf du Pape (16.8 miles)

You cross the mighty Rhône, and ride on l'Ile de la Barthelasse: an island nestled between two branches of the Rhône River, a paradise of quiet winding roads snaking through fruit orchards and crops of all kinds. You are led to France's most prestigious of the Rhône wines: Châteauneuf du Pape. Literally translated as "New Castle of the Pope", Châteauneuf du Pape is a small winemaking village crowned by the remains of what was to be the Pope's summer residence.

Settle into your accommodation, and enjoy a great dinner included with a glass of a Chateauneuf du pape wine !

Day 3

Distance :

27 km

Elevation :

+ 400m
- 400m

Towards the charming Uzes

Châteauneuf du Pape > Tavel > Uzes (16.8miles)

After a short transfer with your bike, you begin your ride in France's most reputed vineyards destined for rosé wines: the village of Tavel. This prestigious rosé is the only wine to be found on the wine lists of every Michelin 3* restaurant in France. Leaving Tavel you head westward on a short and gradual climb. Slowly the vineyards give way to a forest of sparse evergreen oak. Your destination is Uzès, where the first Dukes of France reigned. Uzès is a very charming town, its centre harbours a wealth of beautiful and imposing monuments, including the duke's castle. The cobbled streets in town are lined with regal 17th and 18th century stone homes.

Night in Uzes

Small Friday morning market in Chateauneuf du Pape

Day 4

Distance :

33 km

Elevation :

+ 250m
- 250m

St. Quentin la Poterie and its famous local potters

Uzès>St. Quentin la Poterie>Uzès (20.5 miles)

Today, you explore the countryside around Uzès, dotted with tiny villages and adorned with vineyards. Leaving Uzès you pass stunning farmhouses, passing the Domaine de Malaïgue wine estate, with their flavourful and powerful red organic wines. You reach St. Quentin la Poterie, a small village world renowned for its pottery-making, and attracting artists from every corner of the planet. The artists' boutiques reveal a wide array of styles, inviting you to stroll around the tiny streets of this tightly-knit village. St. Quentin is the perfect stop for lunch, with a variety of bistros to choose from. Cycle back into the heart of Uzès.

Night in Uzes

Wednesday & Saturday (big one) morning market in Uzes

Friday morning market in St Quentin la Poterie

Day 5

Distance :

44 km

Elevation :

+ 250m
- 400m

The towering Pont du Gard

Pont du Gard > Boulbon > St remy de Provence (27.3 miles)

Transfer from Uzes to the surrounding of Pont du Gard. You soon reach the Pont du Gard, a 2000 year-old monumental Roman aqueduct bridge set high above the river. Incredibly intact after 2 millennia, it used to conduct water from the source near Uzès, over a course of 50km. You can spend some time wondering under the bridge. Your course heads southward to reach Boulbon, a charming little Provençal village nestled up against the thyme-laden Montagnette hills. You continue cycling all the way to St remy de Provence, famous with Van Gogh and its Wednesday & Saturday morning market !

Dinner included and night in St Remy

Day 6

Distance :

28 km

Elevation :

+ 100m
- 100m

Through olives groves & vineyards

Option 1 - Your cycling trip starts by following the base of the Alpilles mountains to the east, first on small roads and then on a track leading into the vines. You reach the picture-perfect Provençal village of Eygalières, off the beaten tourist path, whose main square offers a few restaurants and cafés for a midday break. Heading northbound on tiny roads you reach the sleepy village of Mollégès before returning to St. Rémy through the heart of the countryside.

Option 2 - Leaving St. Rémy, you can visit Saint Paul de Mausole, where Van Gogh spent the last year of his life. Biking along the winding streets of the the Alpilles mountains, in landscapes of pine trees and wildflowers, you reach Les Baux de Provence, a town perched vertiginously atop a rocky crag, crowned by the ruins of its feudal castle - listed among the most beautiful villages in France.

Night in St Remy

Great market on Wednesday & Saturday (big one) makets in St Remy

market on Friday morning in Eygalieres

Day 7

To Roman Arles

After breakfast, transfer by taxi to Arles, capital of the Camargue, with its Roman amphitheater. On the banks of the Rhône River, Arles harbours a remarkable wealth of Roman monuments, including its majestic coliseum, and emits a warm and authentic charm. End of your trip.Transfer to Avignon is also possible if wished ( contact us)

Hotel La Mere Germaine - Ch.neuf

La Mère Germaine a real institution since 1922 right in the center of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, very famous for its gourmet restaurant serving delicous meals using fresh & local products.

All 8 rooms have been fully refurbished in 2014, some with village or vineyard view.

BB Maison de Famille - Uzes

Thomas and Elisabeth welcome you in their charming BB that features a magnificent garden and alovely swimming-pool, only a few steps from the historic Uzès.

You end up forgetting that you’re in a BB .. just feeling at home with the incredible welcome of Elizabeth .. !

Hotel du Soleil *** - St Remy

Set in Saint Rémy de Provence - only a stone’s throw from the monuments and quiet landscapes immortalized by Van Gogh- this fully 3* hotel has been recently fully refurbished.The old building is hidden in a quiet courtyard, surrounded by a swimming pool, and also offers a spa.For the cyclists, there is a garage for the bikes.

This Food & Wine day Tour offers the perfect combination of food, wine and sightseeing. It will please every food and wine lover ! You meet local artisans and taste regional products (small groups of max 8).- From 9am, the3h30h tour stimulates your taste buds as you walk through picturesque parts of the town and learn about culinary traditions and local history, from the oldest bakery in town to the best artisan chocolate maker. At the end of the tour, we wash everything down with a tasting of a Châteauneuf du Pape wine, the region’s most prestigious wine. - The tour includes 10 tastings, olive oil and a wine tasting.- Subject to availability- Différent program in July & August : contact us

Half-day wine tour with a wine expert for 3 hours (non private)* Visit of a family run winery : explanation of the vinification and barrel wine tasting* Visit to a Château (one of the most famous and oldest cellars in the area) + wine tasting* if time permits, chocolate and wine tasting

Full-day wine tour with a wine expert (non private) including : - A walk into the vineyards with explanation about the grape varieties, climate and soils specific to Chateauneuf du Pape.- Private visit to a family run winery. Explanation about the vinification and aging process + wine tasting (including barrel wine tasting)- Second wine tasting in a different winery- Lunch: At a traditional restaurant in Chateauneuf du Pape (lunch is not included in the tour price)- Private visit to a Château (one of the most famous and oldest cellasr in the area) + wine tasting- Private visit to a traditional organic winery- Chocolate and wine tasting (if time permits)